UKC Master of Hounds Apprenticeship Policy Change
The Hunt Director format was implemented several years ago where clubs could choose that option opposed to using a Master of Hounds for their UKC Licensed Nite Hunts. The few differences between a Hunt Director and a Master of Hounds are such that the individual serving as Hunt Director: · Is not required to be a licensed Master of Hounds. · May...

Declared Treed on Previously Scored Tree and Left
Q: Dogs A, B, C, and D were all struck and declared treed. When the cast arrived, Dog B was the only dog at the tree, and the other three dogs had left it. It was then determined that this was the same tree we had scored earlier. The Judge drew a line through all four dogs’ scores and called time out to handle the other three dogs. I said that...

I’m thinking some of our Master of Hounds, and most of our competitors, would benefit from a quick discussion on the following topic. That being Masters of Hounds who refuse to listen to questions brought back into them.

This month’s column is based solely on the topic of Hunt Directors and their responsibilities. Unfortunately, it’s not difficult to find certain clubs abusing the intent of using the HD format option. I have used fake names in playing out the following scenario. It’s one that I know all too well how many of our hunters are being witness to. Though you might also find a little humor in it...

Scoring Dead or Caught Game Q: What is the proper procedure for scoring each of the following situations? 1. Dogs baying a coon in a live trap? 2. Dogs treed, bayed on a dead coon. 3. Dogs carrying a dead coon (a coon they did not catch) in to cast.

Q: The other night we had a situation where three dogs were running a track. The judge’s dog had not opened. The judge kept looking at his handheld (telemetry) and as soon as one of the dog’s located on a tree he immediately says, “My dog is getting close to a road and I’m calling time out!” The guide asked the judge where his dog was at. The guide told him there is no road there in the...

This month’s column features a couple refresher course topics. Part of the reasoning for them is to also hopefully allow for a better understanding of the answers to one or more of other included topics. Not Accepting a Call - Refresher Course
Q: Do judges have the authority to not accept a strike or tree call by a handler? A: Yes they do have the authority to not accept a call. Whenever a...

Q: In a four-dog cast, three dogs got treed approximately 900 yards ahead of the cast, while Dog D continued trailing a separate track off to their right. After scoring the tree, we could not hear Dog D so the cast walked back to the spot where we last heard Dog D. At that spot is where the judge started the eight-minute clock on the dog. After listening for a little bit and still not hearing the...